: careful about avoiding danger or risk
cautious investors
cautious optimism
cautiously
adverb
cautiousness
noun
Examples of cautious in a Sentence
Any cautious tourist will guard her passport.
You cannot be overly cautious when you're driving in snow.
He answered the question with a cautious reply.
Recent Examples on the Web
The latest push was part of Pritzker’s State of the State address last week and was followed just days later by a news conference in suburban Oak Park, where the two-term Democratic governor expressed cautious optimism that the newest iteration would pass the state legislature this spring.
—
Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Zandi warned that a collapse in the markets would actively threaten a fragile economy, as consumer spending dries up and businesses become more cautious.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
At the same time, international streamers have been relatively cautious with local investments, partly because a local levy system has not yet been implemented.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
The teacher’s union, the United Federation of Teachers, advised its members to be cautious and put their safety first when deciding whether to report to work.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cautious
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Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Zandi warned that a collapse in the markets would actively threaten a fragile economy, as consumer spending dries up and businesses become more cautious.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
At the same time, international streamers have been relatively cautious with local investments, partly because a local levy system has not yet been implemented.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
The teacher’s union, the United Federation of Teachers, advised its members to be cautious and put their safety first when deciding whether to report to work.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cautious
Cite this Entry
“Cautious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cautious. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cautious
adjective
cau·tious
ˈkȯ-shəs 
: marked by or given to caution
a cautious reply
cautiously
adverb
cautiousness
noun
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